The Natural Path: Demystifying Homeopathy

People often ask me, “Are you a naturopath or a homeopath?” to which I reply “Both!” I often use homeopathy in my practice to help restore health and balance. I like to using homeopathic remedies with children because they are very gentle, effective, and virtually free of side effects.

For those who’ve never heard of it, homeopathy is the practice of diluting substances of herbal, mineral, or animal origin to help healing. The principle of “like cures like” is vital to homeopathic treatment. Using snake venom as an anti-toxin to a poisonous bite is an example of this concept in action. In some ways, vaccination works according to a similar principle; a microorganism can be used in small doses to prevent the very illness it causes.

In homeopathy, we use medicines with a specific “symptom picture.” The latter can be described as the specific characteristics of a remedy. For example, one symptom picture can be described as a right-sided headache with severe throbbing pain made worse by movement or jarring. Another may have be a left-sided headache felt at the back of the head, extending to the left eye, and made worse by looking down. A third may present as a headache in the forehead brought on by exposure to heat or sun. In order to find the correct remedy, the homeopathic practitioner must determine the symptom picture that best matches the patient.

When we get sick, our body has the ability to naturally heal itself. In most cases, we’re able to recover from a cold or flu without medical intervention. We may take something to ease the symptoms, but there is no cure for a cold. However, there are times when we get “stuck.”

There are many different reasons for this; it could be that we are experiencing strong emotions like fear or grief. If you get ill shortly after someone you loved passed away, there is perhaps an emotional component to your sickness. It is well-known that certain conditions like lupus can be precipitated by personal stress.

Another example of getting “stuck” in an illness is when the body is physically weak. If there is a nutritional deficiency, you may have a difficult time recovering naturally. In a sense, homeopathy helps “push” the body forward to break free from that negative pattern of illness.

The way homeopathy works is not exactly clear, but what is clear are its effects. If you’ve been treated using homeopathy, you know it works. And if you haven’t, it’s definitely worth a try.
Got a question? Dr. Melissa Rodriguez is a mom of two and a wellness consultant. She also works as a naturopath at International Medical Center. Check out her website at www.drmelissarodriguez.com.

Photo: Flickr user e_monk.
This article originally appeared on p26 of the beijingkids May 2014 issue.Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com